As for the handlebars being to narrow to your taste, you can configure it up to 46cm, the same as the ritchey you proposed. (I opted for the 46 on my own) Also; how did you find the saddle? I found the surface to be a bit too grippy.
Sadly the online configurator doesn't allow you to change the components, just colours and decal options. Found the saddle more comfortable than it looks, didn't really notice it being too grippy I have to say
@@Alex-wl1je Ah yes you're right, so I was selecting the base build first but it doesn't give you any options, you have to select individual first and then you get some limited options. I should have read the small print!
Thanks Dave! Been waiting for this! Would like to mention, the biggest diff between the offering from Propain vs Canyon at least, is that Propain only sells one banger frame. So you don't have to have frame fomo if you go for the introduction level. So kudos to propain for giving people a smashing option of a bike to a fantastic price!
I've been riding this bike for more than 4 months in southern Spain. I ordered it with the Selle Italia SRL saddle which I find quite comfortable. The first big upgrade needed for my riding was the wheels, specially in hard hard steep rocky climbs, the 20 degree hub engagement for the rear hub, doesn't feel great. Now I find the bike fast, responsive and I think is the best do it all bike I ever had!
Awesome David, Thank you so much for doing this unbiased review, gives me a lot of food for thought, Very much appreciated. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and lots of biking in the New Year!
The most anticipated review of the year for me :) Thanks David!!! Judging by the website and the specs, I had hoped it was a faster allround gravel bike. From your review i conclude it's more like the Mondraker and therefore a drop-bar MTB. As I allready have plenty of MTB's, I will look for a bit more mild gravel focused, faster option. Difficult with the things i want in a bike: UDH, 45mm clearance at least, comfortable frame design (vibration dampening and not-too agressive position), relatively light, preferably in-frame storage, 2 piece handlebars, so only semi integrated cabling, threaded BB and wireless SRAM.
@@davidarthur If only those weren't so overpriced 😇(6k for the expert which is the cheapest that ticks all my boxes). and tbh, I dont like round tube profiles and the paint scheme they come in. Currently looking at the new Cervelo Aspero. Heavier than the Crux, but that Rival Apex they have with reserve carbon wheelset looks like a relatively good deal.
I have this bike for two weeks and its outstanding. I put light carbon wheels, fast tires and I have no words to describe how good it is. Geometry is spot on to ride over gravel and even some single tracks, but its is very efficient on long straights no matter it is a tarmac or gravel. Despite power transfer is good it is also very comfortable. I can feel dampening due to the longer fork and dropped chainstays when seated. Artur tested thiis with heavy wheels and slow tires so they hindered bike ride handling.
@@pingpongballz5998 not upright but neither it is overly stretched. Pretty balanced. Good base to make a fast or with shorter, higher stem to make it more upright.
I just got a gravel/adventure bike with a DROPPER, 700x50 tires, and wide flared handlebar, Ritchey Beacon, MUCH better than the VentureMax. I wasn't looking to buy a new gravel bike but the dropper enticed me. What I like best about the dropper is raising the saddle to full height for full power when returning to the road.
To say it's not a race gravelbike while it has nearly the exact geo as Keegan's Santa cruz Stigmata, but lighter, is strange to me, since he's winning almost every race xD You just have to go 1 or 2 sizes down and build it up with a longer stem etc.
Exactly my thoughts. I compared it on bikeinsights with the Crux and the Terrel S is almost the same as the Crux 56 cm. Except for that the Terrel has more top tube slope. it is not much different that the Enve MOG either... Just stem and spacers need to be changed depending on what you want to ride...
Interesting review, I wonder if the drain holes just fill up with mud. So the upgrades....a mountain bike tyre.....a mountain bike front fork.....maybe a mountain bike bar and stem ....see where it's going? Love my road bikes, love my xc race bikes.
Happened to have a ride on a Terrel with the optional Newmen carbon wheels only last week. I was on road and compacted gravel. I am not looking at out and out racing and I found the bike very comfortable and had a lot fun. I am guessing the wheels I used would make the bike quicker off the mark and livelier than the one tested. The carbon wheels add £450 (I think cheaper than trying to swap out later) although I couldn’t find any reviews for them online.
Water gets into most frames and the issue is the drain holes at the BB getting clogged which then holds the water in. Worth checking them regularly, especially with off road bikes.
Fahre seit 4 Monaten das Terrel GRX 1by mit Carbon Laufrädern auf 50mm Reifen. Natürlich in Orange. Besitze auch Canyon Grizl und Rose Backroad aus Carbon. Das PROPAIN ist eindeutig mein Favorit. Grüße Paul
Thanks for the review! I admire your skills, I wouldn‘t ride my gravel bike there. I think I‘ll stick to my XC Hardtail for this stuff. But great bike and very nice to look at, especially in orange.
I haven't heard anything, but a few days before original comment they sent out confirming the 9th. 5 days to build, 6 days to ship, so the 20th if all goes well.
Nice bike if you’re into carbon. Commencal 365 (Al frame and fork) at $1800 USD is a better deal in my opinion. Absolutely rips with Schawlbe G-One RS 45mm tires on pavement. Floats on gravel. Rough on single track but that’s expected on a rigid.
I'm thinking of getting this bike and adding the reverb dropper to it, SRAM APEX GX T-AXS & the NewMen advanced G.34 ; Have you tested the NewMen rims, I wonder how those are. Thanks for the great review!
Real tough to ask them to lighten the bike up at less than $3,000. Pay another $800 and you can get the setup needed to make it a 17 lb. At under four grand deal and I plan on getting one. I just wish they had a brighter colors. I am into the white base with loud 80s colors. So done with the black.
The geometry of this bike is for knarly trails. I would be hesitant to ride this bike on the road with a change of wheels. I feel descending a twisting downhill would be like driving a dump truck.
@@frienduro24 Make sure you compare the right size for you. I am size S for 1.75m. the standover over no problem with 82cm. inseam. Also, the top tube slopes quite a bit.
basically, it has a road bike geometry with a sluggish steering (very long reach with slack head tube angle and long wheelbase) - to put it simply, it brings the worst of the two categories the reason behind this that this is like a drop bar slapped on a rigid fork MTB - the result: extremely long (because of the additional reach coming from the handlebar) reach, with a road bike reach / stack ratio of 0.69 I presume that the designer forgot that it will come with a drop bar, and it was too late to fix this mistake
But. it works very nice. my focus gravel has the same reach as road, and no hands is trivial. cornering is like motorcycle. What I like is when is wet and cold that suits better on the road too.
@@pxldgn7129 I think you have to ride it. It feels almost like my Bianchi Infinito endurance road bike and a lot more lively than a Ritchey Outback V2. For my taste a very good balance. The wheels are the only important change for my riding. S size fits me well 1.75m and 82cm inseam.
@@hrvojemarin9649 the focus atlas does have a better geometry (much shorter wheelbase, higher stack) - actually this bike was one of my targets for a gravel
@@hansolo1508 I cannot see how that would be possible... The Infinito does have a very short wheelbase, much shorter reach (with high stack) and a very steep head tube angle - a world apart difference in geometry I am not sure about the Ritchey, though. Maybe it is the very long chain stay that makes it more relaxed, otherwise (apart from the more realistic reach) it seems very similar to the Terrel.
@@pxldgn7129 The Bianchi feels like an Endurance road bike, but the Terrel is stiff enough that you could ride it on the road and not feel much of the power loss that you feel on the Outback... Other than that stability is good descending and with a change of wheels and a few other tweaks you can get it down to 8kg...
That water in the frame probably gets in at the top of the headset, where the shift cable and rear brake hose is entering the headset. Any water on the cable/hose glides down the cable/hose, and into the frame. Rubbish design. It's better to have it fully integrated, including the handle bar. Or not integrated at all...
The top of the headset uses a rubber membrane where the hoses and cables go through. So water some might seep through, but only a few drops at max. I think more water and gunk kan get in through the front derailleur port at the back of the seatpost. Especially with 1x setups. I used some Frame protection film to cover up that port on my bike, just to be on the safe side.
Meh, just OK value in my opinion. In Europe, you could get the carbon Riverside GCR with SRAM AXS Rival from Decathlon for 3k€. Only slightly more expensive but with electronic shifting.
Finally, the first actual review of this bike! Been waiting for this one.
As for the handlebars being to narrow to your taste, you can configure it up to 46cm, the same as the ritchey you proposed. (I opted for the 46 on my own)
Also; how did you find the saddle? I found the surface to be a bit too grippy.
Sadly the online configurator doesn't allow you to change the components, just colours and decal options. Found the saddle more comfortable than it looks, didn't really notice it being too grippy I have to say
@davidarthur really? I've just had a look and you seem to be able to change components
@@Alex-wl1je Ah yes you're right, so I was selecting the base build first but it doesn't give you any options, you have to select individual first and then you get some limited options. I should have read the small print!
@@davidarthuryes it does😅 I chose every component on the bike…
Thanks Dave! Been waiting for this!
Would like to mention, the biggest diff between the offering from Propain vs Canyon at least, is that Propain only sells one banger frame. So you don't have to have frame fomo if you go for the introduction level.
So kudos to propain for giving people a smashing option of a bike to a fantastic price!
I've been riding this bike for more than 4 months in southern Spain. I ordered it with the Selle Italia SRL saddle which I find quite comfortable. The first big upgrade needed for my riding was the wheels, specially in hard hard steep rocky climbs, the 20 degree hub engagement for the rear hub, doesn't feel great. Now I find the bike fast, responsive and I think is the best do it all bike I ever had!
Thank you for the review! Been waiting for it!
Awesome David, Thank you so much for doing this unbiased review, gives me a lot of food for thought, Very much appreciated. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and lots of biking in the New Year!
Glad it was helpful!
The most anticipated review of the year for me :) Thanks David!!!
Judging by the website and the specs, I had hoped it was a faster allround gravel bike. From your review i conclude it's more like the Mondraker and therefore a drop-bar MTB. As I allready have plenty of MTB's, I will look for a bit more mild gravel focused, faster option. Difficult with the things i want in a bike: UDH, 45mm clearance at least, comfortable frame design (vibration dampening and not-too agressive position), relatively light, preferably in-frame storage, 2 piece handlebars, so only semi integrated cabling, threaded BB and wireless SRAM.
Just described the latest Crux there 😜
@@davidarthur If only those weren't so overpriced 😇(6k for the expert which is the cheapest that ticks all my boxes). and tbh, I dont like round tube profiles and the paint scheme they come in. Currently looking at the new Cervelo Aspero. Heavier than the Crux, but that Rival Apex they have with reserve carbon wheelset looks like a relatively good deal.
Sounds like Specialized Diverge
I have this bike for two weeks and its outstanding. I put light carbon wheels, fast tires and I have no words to describe how good it is. Geometry is spot on to ride over gravel and even some single tracks, but its is very efficient on long straights no matter it is a tarmac or gravel. Despite power transfer is good it is also very comfortable. I can feel dampening due to the longer fork and dropped chainstays when seated. Artur tested thiis with heavy wheels and slow tires so they hindered bike ride handling.
Is it upright? That's the gravel bike I'm looking for. Easier on my lower back on long endurance rides.
@@pingpongballz5998 not upright but neither it is overly stretched. Pretty balanced. Good base to make a fast or with shorter, higher stem to make it more upright.
@@kubabike sick!
Did you opt for the Newmen rims and terra speed tires that are options in the builds or go with something else?
I just got a gravel/adventure bike with a DROPPER, 700x50 tires, and wide flared handlebar, Ritchey Beacon, MUCH better than the VentureMax. I wasn't looking to buy a new gravel bike but the dropper enticed me. What I like best about the dropper is raising the saddle to full height for full power when returning to the road.
To say it's not a race gravelbike while it has nearly the exact geo as Keegan's Santa cruz Stigmata, but lighter, is strange to me, since he's winning almost every race xD
You just have to go 1 or 2 sizes down and build it up with a longer stem etc.
Exactly my thoughts. I compared it on bikeinsights with the Crux and the Terrel S is almost the same as the Crux 56 cm. Except for that the Terrel has more top tube slope. it is not much different that the Enve MOG either... Just stem and spacers need to be changed depending on what you want to ride...
@@YannickLB With just a change of wheels it feels and it actually is fast and I agree with the Santa Cruz comparison
Interesting review, I wonder if the drain holes just fill up with mud. So the upgrades....a mountain bike tyre.....a mountain bike front fork.....maybe a mountain bike bar and stem ....see where it's going? Love my road bikes, love my xc race bikes.
Happened to have a ride on a Terrel with the optional Newmen carbon wheels only last week. I was on road and compacted gravel. I am not looking at out and out racing and I found the bike very comfortable and had a lot fun. I am guessing the wheels I used would make the bike quicker off the mark and livelier than the one tested. The carbon wheels add £450 (I think cheaper than trying to swap out later) although I couldn’t find any reviews for them online.
I love the geometry!
Water gets into most frames and the issue is the drain holes at the BB getting clogged which then holds the water in. Worth checking them regularly, especially with off road bikes.
Fahre seit 4 Monaten das Terrel GRX 1by mit Carbon Laufrädern auf 50mm Reifen. Natürlich in Orange.
Besitze auch Canyon Grizl und Rose Backroad aus Carbon. Das PROPAIN ist eindeutig mein Favorit. Grüße Paul
Hast Du die DT swiss oder NewMen Laufraeder?
@@N0BIgDEal Newmen. Nach knapp 1000km sage ich, es war eine gute Wahl.
In which way does the terrel stand out from the Grizl and the Backroad?
@@egro408 Offroad und leichte Trails funktionieren mit dem Terrel spürbar besser.
@@Paula-2000 Super danke Dir! Frohe Weihnachten
Can’t wait for your review of the secan 3.0 - hopefully early Jan?
Thanks for the review! I admire your skills, I wouldn‘t ride my gravel bike there. I think I‘ll stick to my XC Hardtail for this stuff. But great bike and very nice to look at, especially in orange.
AWESOME BIKE! 😎💯👍
I never buy new bikes but this bike...seems like a good buy. Like this trend ( fat tires)😊
It does look very nice. The cube nuroad c62 is good priced now too.
Great review, been waiting for this one. Any chance of a Lauf Seigla rigid review, similar price point?
Thanks. I have asked Lauf in the past but didn't get anywhere, but I'll try again in 2025 - it sure looks an interesting bike
@@davidarthur Luaf Seigla review would be great... quite an old frame now but very current still. I'm looking at the SC Sigmata and these two.
Going Giant for the double chainring
Any chance you could get hold of the guava gravel bike to test as I think these two are similar in design,spec and cost
Plz review the model with suspension fork. 🙏🙌🙏🙌
Cube Nuroad Pro 2025 is even a better deal I think, fully carbon, lighter, cheaper
How do you compare it with fairlight secan?
Purchased mine mid October, current estimated build date is Feb 17th.
That's a long ass time
@@pingpongballz5998yup.
That's a long time. I ordered mine in November with a Jan. 9 build time. Interesting difference there, build specific possibly
@@masterathfshake I would inquire for an update. Sounds like their manufacturing is behind compared to demand.
I haven't heard anything, but a few days before original comment they sent out confirming the 9th. 5 days to build, 6 days to ship, so the 20th if all goes well.
Patienly wating for year end sale on their Frame only.🥶🥶🥶 @David Arthur Did you forget their Frame only? Or misses the video?😅
Nice bike if you’re into carbon. Commencal 365 (Al frame and fork) at $1800 USD is a better deal in my opinion. Absolutely rips with Schawlbe G-One RS 45mm tires on pavement. Floats on gravel. Rough on single track but that’s expected on a rigid.
Curious why the Grail over this bike for racing?
If you put lighter wheels, faster tires it can be fast
It isn't the only carbon gravel under 3000. I bought Scott Addict Gravel with electronic shifting for 2850 EUR. You can buy it even cheaper now.
Nice bike. Seems to compare well to my Lauf Seigla.
The Oreo Terra C 105 di2 is a gravel bike and under £200??
Similar canyon grizl or more slow?
I'm thinking of getting this bike and adding the reverb dropper to it, SRAM APEX GX T-AXS & the NewMen advanced G.34 ; Have you tested the NewMen rims, I wonder how those are. Thanks for the great review!
I have that setup coming with the Neman wheels, and SRAM Force / X0 AXS
@@veazie Awesome let me know your thoughts once you have put some miles on it :) Congrats on your new bike!
On-One Free Ranger with GRX ?
Only viable in the UK.
Everywhere else the crazy tax and custom fees kill the value. Thanks Brexit.
Could you compare it with the new Boardman gravel bike please, its even cheaper! Thank you
Real tough to ask them to lighten the bike up at less than $3,000. Pay another $800 and you can get the setup needed to make it a 17 lb. At under four grand deal and I plan on getting one. I just wish they had a brighter colors. I am into the white base with loud 80s colors. So done with the black.
The geometry of this bike is for knarly trails. I would be hesitant to ride this bike on the road with a change of wheels. I feel descending a twisting downhill would be like driving a dump truck.
Hands down, this is a better canyon grizl
Until the new Grizl comes out
@frienduro24 if they fix their weird geometry maybe
What about the best value carbon road bike under $3k in 2025?
Hank Hill approves this bike.
Not a fan of the stand over. The med is 820 and the large is 843
@@frienduro24 Make sure you compare the right size for you. I am size S for 1.75m. the standover over no problem with 82cm. inseam. Also, the top tube slopes quite a bit.
basically, it has a road bike geometry with a sluggish steering (very long reach with slack head tube angle and long wheelbase) - to put it simply, it brings the worst of the two categories
the reason behind this that this is like a drop bar slapped on a rigid fork MTB - the result: extremely long (because of the additional reach coming from the handlebar) reach, with a road bike reach / stack ratio of 0.69
I presume that the designer forgot that it will come with a drop bar, and it was too late to fix this mistake
But. it works very nice. my focus gravel has the same reach as road, and no hands is trivial. cornering is like motorcycle. What I like is when is wet and cold that suits better on the road too.
@@pxldgn7129 I think you have to ride it. It feels almost like my Bianchi Infinito endurance road bike and a lot more lively than a Ritchey Outback V2. For my taste a very good balance. The wheels are the only important change for my riding. S size fits me well 1.75m and 82cm inseam.
@@hrvojemarin9649 the focus atlas does have a better geometry (much shorter wheelbase, higher stack) - actually this bike was one of my targets for a gravel
@@hansolo1508 I cannot see how that would be possible... The Infinito does have a very short wheelbase, much shorter reach (with high stack) and a very steep head tube angle - a world apart difference in geometry
I am not sure about the Ritchey, though. Maybe it is the very long chain stay that makes it more relaxed, otherwise (apart from the more realistic reach) it seems very similar to the Terrel.
@@pxldgn7129 The Bianchi feels like an Endurance road bike, but the Terrel is stiff enough that you could ride it on the road and not feel much of the power loss that you feel on the Outback... Other than that stability is good descending and with a change of wheels and a few other tweaks you can get it down to 8kg...
I think at the end a good metal frame is much better than cheap carbon …
That water in the frame probably gets in at the top of the headset, where the shift cable and rear brake hose is entering the headset. Any water on the cable/hose glides down the cable/hose, and into the frame. Rubbish design. It's better to have it fully integrated, including the handle bar. Or not integrated at all...
The top of the headset uses a rubber membrane where the hoses and cables go through. So water some might seep through, but only a few drops at max.
I think more water and gunk kan get in through the front derailleur port at the back of the seatpost. Especially with 1x setups. I used some Frame protection film to cover up that port on my bike, just to be on the safe side.
Shocking positioning of the rear mudguard!
you're welcome to position yours however you want ;)
Look again at where the back of the guard falls in line with the back of the seat. It’s perfectly inline to block splash back
My pleasure
Bargain?
Meh, just OK value in my opinion.
In Europe, you could get the carbon Riverside GCR with SRAM AXS Rival from Decathlon for 3k€. Only slightly more expensive but with electronic shifting.
And with only 42mm clearance and no frame or fork mounts and only 10-44T
That saddle is terrible.